Teen Abducted-Kelsey Smith

[kugrrly]

Kelsey was abducted Saturday night at a Target less than five miles from my home. Her body was found at Longview Lake which is around 20 miles from Target. The police have a person. of interest from surveillance tapes, but have been unable to identfy him

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/06/missing.teen.ap/index.html

Kelsey just graduated from the same high school as I did, (much later though) and was headed to K-State in August to study to be a veterinarian. The whole story is so sad and breaks my heart. I hope the Overland Park police officers find whoever is responisble for Kelsey's death.

[lawyerlee]

I'm just so sick and sad about this. It scares the shit out of me, too. I would never in a million years have worried about my safety at Oak Park or in that area. Never. It's such a senseless waste of a beautiful life filled with potential.

I hope they get more information about the "person of interest" on that surveillance tape at the Target.

During the press conference once of the reporters asked if they thought Kelsey's case was related to the disappearance of a girl in Belton. Even scarier that this is a possibility. :(

[kugrrly]

It scares the shit out of me, too. I would never in a million years have worried about my safety at Oak Park or in that area.

I know. I work at the mall part-time, and this really scares me.

[December27JJB]

Oh no how horrible. Sadly, it can happen anywhere.

[Sophia]

How sad.

[ShannonGH]

Such a sad, sad situation. I've been watching the news coverage non-stop since 3pm. Prayer Vigal tonight at Hillcrest Covenant Church, which happens to be our church. Our pastor, Mark Severson, is an amazingly talented man. If anyone can start to bring comfort to the mourning family and friends, he can.

During the press conference once of the reporters asked if they thought Kelsey's case was related to the disappearance of a girl in Belton. Even scarier that this is a possibility.
ITA!! I will be very anxious to see how this all unfolds.

[hub1176]

I didn't realize they had found her body. I haven't watched tv all day. How tragic.

[kugrrly]

My parents neighbors daughter was VERY good friends with Kelsey, and I know that they helped in searching for her.

What bothers me is that NO ONE has recognized the person of interest. His picture has been all over the news, and it seems strange that no one has come forward.

My sister was at this Target during the time frame, but she did not see anything.

[TazLuv]

Such a sad story, DH and I went to KU and he is from OP so we are very familiar with this area, Target, mall, etc.

Her family is in our thoughts.

[Rose]

How very sad. I hope they find the person of interest.

[RoxyRocks]

I just read that they think they found her body....this is just a horrible story=(

[Weddings by]

Man arrested in abduction, death of teen (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19065065/)

"An Olathe man has been arrested in the abduction and death of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith...

Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass identified the suspect as Edwin R. Hall, 26. He is expected to be charged Thursday morning with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Douglass said Hall was interviewed mid-afternoon Wednesday after police acted on a tip that matched Hall and a vehicle to surveillance video from the Target store parking lot in suburban Kansas City where Smith was abducted Saturday evening."

[kugrrly]

I am glad that they found him so he can be brought to justice. I am interested in knowing how he knew Kelsey. I am wondering if they worked together.

[rene']

What is going on with this world? I have two daughter's and I am just scared to death that this could happen to them one day. Not long ago, this happened in Arkansas City not far from us. The same type of thing. My daughter's are probably going to despise me when they get older because I don't know if I will be able to let them out of my sight.:(

[msnicolea]

Unbelievably awful. I just feel so helpless and scared as a new parent sometimes.

[jesseybell]

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. As a parent it does make me scared- if you been antsy if your 18 year-old goes to Target by herself. Absolutely the worse nightmare. That poor, poor family.

[Foley42]

How very sad. She was a beautiful young lady. The video interview with her BF (of 6 months) was so sad. She was going to Target to buy him an anniversary present :(

[Annette]

Very sad indeed. My neighbor is actually from that area. She was just telling me that it was a great place to grow up in.